Seattle / Tacoma

In 2013, what was once called the Puyallup Fair will officially become the Washington State Fair! The name is fitting, reflecting that this is indeed the largest fair in Washington with more than 1 million attendees over the course of about two weeks. However, longtime fair fans might just miss tripping up their visiting friends or new residents with the word Puyallup, but the fun couldn't last forever. Fair fans also don't have to worry about too many other changes. The fair is the same fair it has always been.

This year's Washington State Fair dates are: September 6-22, 2013.

2013 Fair Concerts and Shows: The fair always brings with it a great concert lineup, rodeo shows and smaller free performances. Headliners this year include Carrie Underwood, CeeLo Green, Kid Rock and Larry the Cable Guy.

Fair Discounts and Coupons: The fair can get expensive, but there are many ways to save money on admission, food, rides and more.

Things You Must Do at The Fair: There's a lot to do at the fair, but some are quintessential fair experiences that should not be missed.

Rides: Learn all about what kinds of rides are at the fair, which are best for small children, which you can ride with general ride coupons, and which require special tickets.

Photo copyright: Jennifer Graevell

Memorial Day means different things to different people. To many, it's a day of retail sales and the official start of summer. To others, it's an important day to remember veterans and active service members. Whether you plan to have a barbecue with family and friends or visit a memorial, check out this list of the many ways to spend your Memorial Day in the Seattle area. Some of the ways might surprise you, including the Blue Star Program at area museums, which gets active military and their families free and discounted museum admission. Woo!

There are many memorials to wars, vets and active service members in all branches. The Capitol Campus in Olympia has the best-known collection of memorials and monuments, but is far from the only location to gather for Memorial Day. Other spots like War Memorial Park in Tacoma are quieter and more tucked away.

This week, don't miss the Northwest Folklife Festival at Seattle Center! This is one of my favorite Seattle events by far. It's a great place to find some tasty food, some quirky entertainment and just enough weirdness to make the festival great. Each year, the festival takes on a focus, sometimes a world culture and sometimes not. For 2013, the festival takes the theme of Washington Works, exploring the many ways Washington residents make a living.

For full event details, see the May 2013 Seattle and Tacoma events calendars.

May 18-19:

• University District Street Fair on University Way NE in the U-District

May 19:

• 5th Annual Same Love, Same Rights, Seattle Gay and Lesbian Wedding Expo from 1-4 p.m. at Crowne Plaza Hotel Seattle

May 20:

• Fleetwood Mac Live 2013 at 8 p.m. at Tacoma Dome

May 23-24:

• The Piano Guys at Neptune Theatre

May 24:

• Texas Rangers at Seattle Mariners at 7:10 p.m. at Safeco Field

May 24-27:

• Northwest Folklife Festival at Seattle Center

May 25:

• Texas Rangers at Seattle Mariners at 7:10 p.m. at Safeco Field

May 26:

• Texas Rangers at Seattle Mariners at 1:10 p.m. at Safeco Field
• Good Karma 5K Run at 9 a.m. at Seward Park

As usual, there's plenty to do in Seattle and Tacoma this week!

May 12:

• Seattle Rock Orchestra does The Beatles at Moore Theatre
• Oakland Athletics at Seattle Mariners at 1:10 p.m. at Safeco Field
• Sesame Street Live - Can't Stop Singing at the Tacoma Dome

May 13:

• The Black Angels at 8 p.m. at Neptune Theatre

May 14:

• Of Monsters and Men at 8 p.m. at Paramount Theatre

May 15:

• Jay & Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie (with Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes) at 7:30 p.m. at Moore Theatre
• Little Big Show with Jim James at 8 p.m. at Neptune Theatre

May 16:

• Cold War Kids at 8 p.m. at Neptune Theatre

May 17:

• Yo La Tengo at 9 p.m. at Showbox at the Market
• Paul Reiser at 7:30 p.m. at Pantages Theatre
• 9 to 5: The Musical, opening May 17 and running until June 9 at Tacoma Musical Playhouse
• Tesla at 8:30 p.m. at Emerald Queen Casino

May 18:

• FC Dallas at Seattle Sounders FC at 7 p.m. at CenturyLink Field
• Seattle Mom Prom from 8 p.m. to midnight at Fremont Abbey Arts Center
• University District Street Fair on University Way NE in the U-District (also May 19)

May 19:

• 5th Annual Same Love, Same Rights, Seattle Gay and Lesbian Wedding Expo from 1 to 4 p.m. at Crowne Plaza Hotel Seattle

Children's Book Week is set to take place at more than 50 locations all across the country from May 13-19, 2013--including two locations right here in Washington state. Participants get a free poster and tote bag, while supplies last! Children's Book Week has been running strong since 1919 with the goal of increasing literacy among young people nationwide.

May 15: Secret Garden Books (2214 NW Market Street, Seattle) - Children's book voting party to elect favorites for the Children's Book Choice awards.

May 14-19: Village Books (1200 11^th Street, Bellingham) is holding a series of events featuring preschool storytime and craft sessions, as well as several authors and illustrators. Events include:

• May 14 from 11-11:30 a.m. - Curious George Preschool Storytime and Craft
• May 14 from 4-5 p.m. - Katie & Neal Swanson - Katie's Cupcakes and Papa Loses His Magic
• May 16 from 11-11:30 a.m. - Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse Preschool Storytime and Craft
• May 17 at 5 p.m. - Clete Barrett Smith - Aliens in Disguise
• May 18 at 11 a.m. - Katherine Pryor - Silvia's Spinach
• May 18 at 1 p.m. - Rick Swann - Our School Garden!
• May 18 at 4 p.m. - Sarai Stevens - Seeds for a New Day
• May 19 from 2-3 p.m. - Motherhood By the Book Group
• May 19 at 4 p.m. - Karen Robbins - Shoe Print Art Activity

Photo copyright: pettifoggist

The University District Food Bank serves an impressive 1,100 families each and every week, but still strives to help even more people. On May 19, the food bank will launch a new campaign to raise funds for a brand new four-story facility that will include a grocery store-style food bank, low-income housing, job resources and gardens. Help start the campaign off right and have a little fun along the way at the fundraiser's kickoff event--Fight Hunger, Build Hope Food Truck Roundup!

May 19 from 3 to 7 p.m., the Roundup will take place at Phinney Neighborhood Center, bringing with it local food trucks, wineries and breweries, and live music by The Blackberry Bushes, Washover Fans and Ali Marcus. Food trucks in attendance will include Barking Frog Mobile Kitchen, Hallava Falafel and others, as well as choice beverages from Oola and Golden distilleries, Sozo Wines and Fremont Brewing Company.

Tickets are just $25 per person and can be purchased online in advance. For the price of admission, you'll get eight food tickets and four beverage tickets--each ticket will get you a small bite or taste.

Photo copyright: U District Food Bank

There are a ton of things you could do to celebrate Mom in Seattle. Below are just a few of the many events taking place on Mother's Day weekend 2013.

Brunch and Spa Packages

Alderbrook Resort & Spa at 7101 E State Highway 106 in Union is hosting a Mother's Day brunch on May 12 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The meal will include alder plank grilled salmon, huckleberry waffles, eggs benedicts, hot and cold buffets, and dessert for $41/person and $14/kids under 10. The resort and spa is also hosting special Mother's Day packages, including an overnight stay coupled with spa treatments, a private dining experience, and spa specials.

Mother's Day Cruises

Waterways Cruises will host brunch and dinner cruises on May 12. All cruises will take two-hour trips around Seattle's Lake Washington and Lake Union, complete with live music and a rose from the ship captain for Mom. Brunch cruises include a full buffet, while dinner cruises include a five-course meal served to you at your table. If you want to up the ante a bit, flowers, chocolate covered strawberries, and personalized cakes are also available for advance purchase. Tickets are $66 to $71 with discounts for senior, military and kids. If you want to head out on the Puget Sound, look to Argosy Cruises too!

Brunch

Award-winning chef Maria Hines has put together a delicious prex fixe brunch menu in honor of Mother's Day for her restaurant, Tilth (1411 N. 45^th Street). Sunday, May 12, for just $25 treat your favorite mother to an all-organic menu that features apricot scones, quiche lorraine, french toast and Theo chocolate ganache cake! Other restaurants and venues hosting brunch include the Smith Tower Chinese Room and AQUA by El Gaucho.

Pike Place Market Flower Festival

May 11 and 12, Pike Place Market will host its fifth annual Flower Festival just in time for Mother's Day weekend. Flower merchants from King, Snohomish and Whatcom counties will be at the market with a dazzling array of floral arrangements and flowers from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. There's a card-making station, and Ciscoe Morris will make an appearance at 2 p.m. on May 12, too!

Photo Copyright Marc van der Chijs

May 11, 2013, Wild Waves theme park opens for the summer! Wild Waves is Western Washington's only theme park and is located in Federal Way, just about right between Seattle and Tacoma. The park has theme park rides as well as a full water park. On May 11, just the theme park rides will open, on weekends only. On May 25, the water park will open too.

What's especially cool is that if you go early in the season, admission to the park is superbly affordable. May 11, 12, 18 and 19, park admission is just $9.99 per person! That's cheaper than a Dizzy Pass at the Puyallup Fair! May 25 to June 30, admission goes up to $14.99. After July 1, admission jumps to $39.99 for adults--granted, you'll have a smaller chance of getting too chilly waiting for water park rides.

Photo copyright: Smart Destinations

Go forth and enjoy the many events in Seattle this week, including Bob's Burgers Live, Grey Gardens at ACT Theatre, Pentatonix and a few Mariners and Sounders games tossed in for good measure. For event details, see the full May events calendars for Seattle and Tacoma.

May 6:

• Cloud Cult at 8 p.m. at Neptune Theatre

May 8:

• Bob's Burgers Live at 8 p.m. at Neptune Theatre

May 10:

• Oakland Athletics at Seattle Mariners at 7:10 p.m. at Safeco Field

May 11:

• San Jose Earthquakes at Seattle Sounders FC at 1 p.m. at CenturyLink Field
• Tuxes and Tails Gala for Seattle Humane Society from 5 to 11 p.m. at Hyatt Regency Bellevue
• Oakland Athletics at Seattle Mariners at 6:10 p.m. at Safeco Field
• Russell Peters at 8 p.m. at Paramount Theatre
• Pentatonix at 8:30 p.m. at Showbox SoDo

May 11-12:

• Seattle Rock Orchestra does The Beatles at Moore Theatre

May 12:

• Oakland Athletics at Seattle Mariners at 1:10 p.m. at Safeco Field

Until May 18:

• Voix Humaine & Suor Angelica at McCaw Hall

Until May 19:

• Crash at Seattle Children's Theatre
• Gypsy at Seattle Musical Theatre

Until May 26:

• Grey Gardens Seattle at ACT Theatre

Seattle's tallest building is the Columbia Center, located very prominently at 701 Fifth Avenue in downtown Seattle. The dark granite and glass exterior rises above the next tallest building in town by 165 feet! At 932 feet tall, Columbia Center is the second tallest building on the West Coast. It also has more stories than any other building west of the Mississippi River, and seven of its stories are underground.

While much of the building houses class-A office space, some of the Columbia Center is open to the public to enjoy. On the 73rd floor is the Sky View Observatory, which is higher up than the observation level of the Space Needle! Sky View Observatory is open every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets costs $9 for adults, $6 for kids 6-12/students/seniors/military, and children 5 and younger are free.

See a list of the full top 10 tallest buildings in Seattle.

Photo copyright: joeszilagyi